Fireworks slated for evening before annual Mackinac Bridge Walk; Air National Guard flyover on Labor Day
Fireworks slated for evening before annual Mackinac Bridge Walk; Air National Guard flyover on Labor Day
August 31, 2005 – – Bridge walkers, tourists and residents in the St. Ignace/Mackinaw City area will be in for a big treat on Sunday evening, Sept. 4, and on Monday, Sept. 5 (Labor Day). Fireworks are scheduled at dusk the evening before the Annual Bridge Walk on Labor Day on Sept. 4. They will be launched from Dock 3 in St. Ignace and can best be viewed anywhere throughout the downtown area. Fireworks also will be visible from the north shore of Mackinac Island, and the north shore of Mackinaw City.
The fireworks are provided with a generous donation from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians of the Kewadin Casinos, and also contributions from the Michigan State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Operating Engineers Local #324, and the Ironworkers Local #25, to honor the 100th anniversary of the Michigan Department of Transportation, known as MDOT.
In addition to the fireworks, A-10 fighter jets from the Michigan Air National Guard are expected to fly in formation across the Straits of Mackinac along the east side of the Mackinac Bridge. This is expected to take place at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 5 (Labor Day) during the annual walk. In a salute to Michigan’s men and women in the armed forces and their families, the jets will fly south to north, then return and fly north to south alongside the bridge. The jets are from the 110th Fighter Wing unit at the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base.
Both displays are weather dependent.
“On the eve of one of Michigan’s most fabulous adventures – a once-a-year trek across the beautiful Mackinac Bridge – we are proud to be a partner in providing fireworks for residents and visitors in honor of MDOT’s Centennial year,” said State Transportation Director Gloria J. Jeff. “This year has been historic for our department. It began with a parade in a January snowstorm, continued with participation in community events throughout the summer months, and will wrap up in November. It’s given us an opportunity to honor employees who often work in adverse conditions to maintain Michigan’s transportation systems and our employees currently serving in the armed forces. We would like to honor their commitment at the site of one of our state’s proudest accomplishments – the Mackinac Bridge.”
For more details on the Centennial, visit the department’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/mdot100.
MDOT: Celebrating 100 years of transportation innovation, 1905-2005
